Some surprising obesity stats- thoughts?

[Anonymous]

link

What's your country's rank? Are you surprised at some of the rankings?

Personally, I was surprised to see that Canada's obesity rates are less than half the US's, even though they're right next door and both North America. Makes me wonder what the big difference is between the two that's causing the US to be so much fatter.

I was also surprised to see such high obesity rates from Australia for some reason.

What do you all think?

[ben890]

I think most of it has to do with how accessible highly-processed foods are in these countries, and also how big a role carbs have in the culture's dishes.

Lots of carbs ---> insulin resistance ----> metabolic syndrome ----> weight gain that is very difficult to stop

Also, I noticed your comment that said you hate the fat acceptance movement. I don't think you know what it's actually about. It's not about encouraging people to eat like crap and not exercise, it's about not dehumanizing fat people. There are fat people who take very good care of themselves (my 210 pound girlfriend is healthier than *I* am), but even if that wasn't the case, it's nobody else's business and people's disgust is uncalled for.

[Asker]

I think it's perfectly OK to judge fat people for their unhealthy lifestyle- just like it's widely OK to judge people who smoke. I'm sorry, but at 210, you're girlfriend is NOT healthy, unless she's 6'4"

[ben890]

The whole POINT is that it's stupid to assume fat = unhealthy lifestyle, but apparently you don't listen. She eats healthier than I do and exercises almost daily, and her health stats (blood pressure, glucose, cholesterol, etc.) are perfect. She simply doesn't lose weight, and that's f***ing okay.

[Asker]

Being overweight is NOT okay. It leads to health problems. Overweight and obese people are at a higher risk for almost every single disease out there. It's great that you're OK with her weight- it does not make her healthy whatsoever.

[Asker]

Overweight and obese people are at an increased risk for nearly every disease out there- how is that not unhealthy? It's great that you're fine with your girlfriend;s body- but don't kid yourself. At 210, she's not fit.

[peace-love-couture]

The big difference is Americans have issues with this thing called self control, but supposedly, the UK has the same obesity problems as the US

Putting the fork down and eating smaller portions is an issue for the typical size 14 American woman.

Then we have these ads saying "real women have curves" as a means of making them feel better. So we never really encourage fat people to get off their asses and work out

[Asker]

I agree with your last paragraph especially, I hate the fat acceptance movement.

[sephora]

Ya I am surprised I thought Canada would be number 2, but I am sure we will catch up fast :P

[Asker]

I don't think so, because I was reading another article comparing the two, and this discrepancy has been going on for some time. Apparently, the rates are very similar for childhood, but either Canadian kids lose weight or more American kids get fatter because the adult rates are very different

[Love_is_in_the_air]

bulgaria isn't even on the list :P yes I am from there

[Habakkuk]

feels good to be #1

however, that list is incomplete, we're actually at #6

link

[Asker]

Interesting. I'm aware the link I posted doesn't include every country in the world, but that link is outdated. Most of the info is from almost 10 years ago. Would be good to get an up to date list like mine, but with all countries.

[peace-love-couture]

It's a list by the CIA, that's pretty official. And since statistics are provided every couple of years, it's pretty legitimate

[jacquesvol]

The CIA ranks Belgium #54, Nationmaster says #19 link

One wonders...

[Habakkuk]

umm, the ranking isn't important, the CIA factbook takes way more countries into consideration. If you notice, the obesity rate of belgium is less than 1% different between the 2 sources

[Asker]

The only issue I have with the list is that it's so old, it's difficult to compare one country's 2010 data with 2000 data from another. Therefore, I wouldn't really take much stock in the CIA listing, though it does include (albeit outdated) info from more countries.

[Habakkuk]

do you honestly thing the obesity rate within a country swings that fast?

[Asker]

It could certinaly increase or decrease several percentage points- enough to knock it up or down several notches, as you can see some countries are very close.

All I'm saying is that your link is not as accurate as the original one. Just because it lists more countries doesn't make it better- because they are comparing countries with info a decade apart.

[Asker]

it could certainly go up or down several percentage points- enough to move it up or down several notches. The point is- your link is not accurate- it's comparing countries with info a decade apart from each other.